'02 300M: Code P0700 and...

1. Check Engine light on again. At first I assumed it was P0441 again,
but I checked and found it was P0700, which I understand is a somewhat
general "Automatic Transmission Fault" message. Pulled the fuses for the
computer and left them out for a while, and the vehicle ran for a couple
of miles before the CEL came on again and the transmission shifted down.
"Argh! Limp mode!" I thought, but I found that it *will* shift up from
2nd but only at a higher-than-normal speed.

2. The Climate Control display is blank. The fuses all seem to be OK.
All the CC controls seem to work OK, but there is no display.

Is there any one fault that could account for *both* these problems?

The transmission problem seems most likely to be a sensor failure, from
what I have read, but where do I look for the cause of the blank CC display?

Re: '02 300M: Code P0700 and...

On 05/25/08 09:24 pm I wrote:
> 1. Check Engine light on again. At first I assumed it was P0441 again,
> but I checked and found it was P0700, which I understand is a somewhat
> general "Automatic Transmission Fault" message. Pulled the fuses for the
> computer and left them out for a while, and the vehicle ran for a couple
> of miles before the CEL came on again and the transmission shifted down.
> "Argh! Limp mode!" I thought, but I found that it *will* shift up from
> 2nd but only at a higher-than-normal speed.
>
> 2. The Climate Control display is blank. The fuses all seem to be OK.
> All the CC controls seem to work OK, but there is no display.
>
> Is there any one fault that could account for *both* these problems?
>
> The transmission problem seems most likely to be a sensor failure, from
> what I have read, but where do I look for the cause of the blank CC
> display?

The Climate Control display has come back to life. I'm going to check
the transmission fluid level with the fluid warm. Cold and engine off
it's fine.

Re: '02 300M: Code P0700 and...

"Percival P. Cassidy" <nobody@notmyISP.net> wrote in message
news:zio_j.47$p%2.6@newsfe06.lga...
> 1. Check Engine light on again. At first I assumed it was P0441 again, but I
> checked and found it was P0700, which I understand is a somewhat general
> "Automatic Transmission Fault" message. Pulled the fuses for the computer
> and left them out for a while, and the vehicle ran for a couple of miles
> before the CEL came on again and the transmission shifted down. "Argh! Limp
> mode!" I thought, but I found that it *will* shift up from 2nd but only at a
> higher-than-normal speed.
>
> 2. The Climate Control display is blank. The fuses all seem to be OK. All
> the CC controls seem to work OK, but there is no display.
>
> Is there any one fault that could account for *both* these problems?

No, you have two seperate problems.

> The transmission problem seems most likely to be a sensor failure, from what
> I have read, but where do I look for the cause of the blank CC display?
>
> Perce

The P0700 code indicates a problem with the trans. You will need a scan tool
capable of communicating with the trans computer to determine what the exact
trans failure code is. A common failure seems to be the input and/or output
speed sensor failure. Don't just throw parts at it, have it scanned so you can
find out exactly what the problem is.

Re: '02 300M: Code P0700 and...

"Percival P. Cassidy" <nobody@notmyISP.net> wrote in message
news:C9F_j.24$hE4.23@newsfe05.lga...
> On 05/25/08 09:24 pm I wrote:
>
>> 1. Check Engine light on again. At first I assumed it was P0441 again, but
>> I checked and found it was P0700, which I understand is a somewhat general
>> "Automatic Transmission Fault" message. Pulled the fuses for the computer
>> and left them out for a while, and the vehicle ran for a couple of miles
>> before the CEL came on again and the transmission shifted down. "Argh! Limp
>> mode!" I thought, but I found that it *will* shift up from 2nd but only at
>> a higher-than-normal speed.
>>
>> 2. The Climate Control display is blank. The fuses all seem to be OK. All
>> the CC controls seem to work OK, but there is no display.
>>
>> Is there any one fault that could account for *both* these problems?
>>
>> The transmission problem seems most likely to be a sensor failure, from
>> what I have read, but where do I look for the cause of the blank CC
>> display?
>
>
> The Climate Control display has come back to life. I'm going to check the
> transmission fluid level with the fluid warm. Cold and engine off it's fine.
>
> Perce

Trans fluid level is not monitored by the trans computer and will not set a
code.

Re: '02 300M: Code P0700 and...

On 05/26/08 05:13 pm Mike wrote:
>>> 1. Check Engine light on again. At first I assumed it was P0441
>>> again, but I checked and found it was P0700, which I understand is a
>>> somewhat general "Automatic Transmission Fault" message. Pulled the
>>> fuses for the computer and left them out for a while, and the vehicle
>>> ran for a couple of miles before the CEL came on again and the
>>> transmission shifted down. "Argh! Limp mode!" I thought, but I found
>>> that it *will* shift up from 2nd but only at a higher-than-normal speed.
>>>
>>> 2. The Climate Control display is blank. The fuses all seem to be OK.
>>> All the CC controls seem to work OK, but there is no display.
>>>
>>> Is there any one fault that could account for *both* these problems?
>>>
>>> The transmission problem seems most likely to be a sensor failure,
>>> from what I have read, but where do I look for the cause of the blank
>>> CC display?
>> The Climate Control display has come back to life. I'm going to check
>> the transmission fluid level with the fluid warm. Cold and engine off
>> it's fine.

The CC display is blank again.
> Trans fluid level is not monitored by the trans computer and will not
> set a code.

I was thinking that low fluid level might cause give rise to a shift
problem that might in turn generate the P0700 code. But the level is
fine hot and with the engine running.

Re: '02 300M: Code P0700 and...

On 05/26/08 05:12 pm Mike wrote:
>> 1. Check Engine light on again. At first I assumed it was P0441 again,
>> but I checked and found it was P0700, which I understand is a somewhat
>> general "Automatic Transmission Fault" message. Pulled the fuses for
>> the computer and left them out for a while, and the vehicle ran for a
>> couple of miles before the CEL came on again and the transmission
>> shifted down. "Argh! Limp mode!" I thought, but I found that it *will*
>> shift up from 2nd but only at a higher-than-normal speed.

<snip>
>> The transmission problem seems most likely to be a sensor failure,
>> from what I have read, but where do I look for the cause of the blank
>> CC display?
> The P0700 code indicates a problem with the trans. You will need a scan
> tool capable of communicating with the trans computer to determine what
> the exact trans failure code is. A common failure seems to be the input
> and/or output speed sensor failure. Don't just throw parts at it, have
> it scanned so you can find out exactly what the problem is.

Further Googling suggested a faulty input sensor (in stock at all the
local Advance Auto stores for $16.xx), but with car on ramps I can't
reach the sensor anyway -- somewhat limited wrist mobility. On a hoist
no problem, I'm sure.

I assume there's no reason to go to Chrysler dealer rather than to
friendly neighborhood NAPA-affiliated repair guy? Or would only Chrysler
dealer have the *right* scan tool?

Re: '02 300M: Code P0700 and...

"Percival P. Cassidy" <nobody@notmyISP.net> wrote in message
news:YMG_j.42$2f5.40@newsfe07.lga...
> On 05/26/08 05:12 pm Mike wrote:
>
>>> 1. Check Engine light on again. At first I assumed it was P0441 again, but
>>> I checked and found it was P0700, which I understand is a somewhat general
>>> "Automatic Transmission Fault" message. Pulled the fuses for the computer
>>> and left them out for a while, and the vehicle ran for a couple of miles
>>> before the CEL came on again and the transmission shifted down. "Argh!
>>> Limp mode!" I thought, but I found that it *will* shift up from 2nd but
>>> only at a higher-than-normal speed.
>
> <snip>
>
>>> The transmission problem seems most likely to be a sensor failure, from
>>> what I have read, but where do I look for the cause of the blank CC
>>> display?
>
>> The P0700 code indicates a problem with the trans. You will need a scan
>> tool capable of communicating with the trans computer to determine what the
>> exact trans failure code is. A common failure seems to be the input and/or
>> output speed sensor failure. Don't just throw parts at it, have it scanned
>> so you can find out exactly what the problem is.
>
>
> Further Googling suggested a faulty input sensor (in stock at all the local
> Advance Auto stores for $16.xx), but with car on ramps I can't reach the
> sensor anyway -- somewhat limited wrist mobility. On a hoist no problem, I'm
> sure.

You may be able to reach it from the top.
>
> I assume there's no reason to go to Chrysler dealer rather than to friendly
> neighborhood NAPA-affiliated repair guy? Or would only Chrysler dealer have
> the *right* scan tool?
>
> Perce

You would have to ask the shop if the have a capable scan tool. The
Chrysler dealership would definately have the proper scan tool.

Re: '02 300M: Code P0700 and...

On 05/26/08 08:16 pm Mike wrote:
>>> The P0700 code indicates a problem with the trans. You will need a
>>> scan tool capable of communicating with the trans computer to
>>> determine what the exact trans failure code is. A common failure
>>> seems to be the input and/or output speed sensor failure. Don't just
>>> throw parts at it, have it scanned so you can find out exactly what
>>> the problem is.
>> I assume there's no reason to go to Chrysler dealer rather than to
>> friendly neighborhood NAPA-affiliated repair guy? Or would only
>> Chrysler dealer have the *right* scan tool?
> You would have to ask the shop if the have a capable scan tool. The
> Chrysler dealership would definately have the proper scan tool.

Friendly neighborhood NAPA-affiliated repair guy recommended taking it
to the Chrysler dealer or to a transmission specialist, so I took it to
the dealer that's been servicing it for the last 4+ years. Took a while,
but they eventually got additional codes (I didn't write them down) that
corresponded to those in a TSB concerning some valve(s) or other. They
have to order in parts (due tomorrow morning) and replace the valve body
and other parts. The extended warranty (which I thought had expired
already) will cover it for the standard $100 deductible vs. $600+ for
parts and $200+ for labor.

Re: '02 300M: Code P0700 and...

"Percival P. Cassidy" <nobody@notmyISP.net> wrote in message
news:%5l%j.2309$W77.911@newsfe05.lga...
> On 05/26/08 08:16 pm Mike wrote:
>
>>>> The P0700 code indicates a problem with the trans. You will need a scan
>>>> tool capable of communicating with the trans computer to determine what
>>>> the exact trans failure code is. A common failure seems to be the input
>>>> and/or output speed sensor failure. Don't just throw parts at it, have it
>>>> scanned so you can find out exactly what the problem is.
>
>>> I assume there's no reason to go to Chrysler dealer rather than to
>>> friendly neighborhood NAPA-affiliated repair guy? Or would only Chrysler
>>> dealer have the *right* scan tool?
>
>> You would have to ask the shop if the have a capable scan tool. The
>> Chrysler dealership would definately have the proper scan tool.
>
> Friendly neighborhood NAPA-affiliated repair guy recommended taking it to
> the Chrysler dealer or to a transmission specialist, so I took it to the
> dealer that's been servicing it for the last 4+ years. Took a while, but
> they eventually got additional codes (I didn't write them down) that
> corresponded to those in a TSB concerning some valve(s) or other. They have
> to order in parts (due tomorrow morning) and replace the valve body and
> other parts. The extended warranty (which I thought had expired already)
> will cover it for the standard $100 deductible vs. $600+ for parts and $200+
> for labor.
>
> Perce

Glad to hear you got it fixed so quickly. Nice to have it covered under the
extended warraty!

Re: '02 300M: Code P0700 and...

On 05/28/08 07:50 pm Mike wrote:
>> Friendly neighborhood NAPA-affiliated repair guy recommended taking it
>> to the Chrysler dealer or to a transmission specialist, so I took it
>> to the dealer that's been servicing it for the last 4+ years. Took a
>> while, but they eventually got additional codes (I didn't write them
>> down) that corresponded to those in a TSB concerning some valve(s) or
>> other. They have to order in parts (due tomorrow morning) and replace
>> the valve body and other parts. The extended warranty (which I thought
>> had expired already) will cover it for the standard $100 deductible
>> vs. $600+ for parts and $200+ for labor.
> Glad to hear you got it fixed so quickly. Nice to have it covered under
> the extended warranty!

I am even more glad today that it's being covered under the extended
warranty, because now they have discovered that yet other parts need to
be replaced -- something about contamination of some seals.